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Jol - Spurs need the CL

Martin Jol admits he would feel 'bad' if Fulham denied his former club Tottenham Hotspur a place in the UEFA Champions League.

Last Updated: 11/05/12 9:40pm

Martin Jol: Fulham manager does not want to deny Tottenham a place in the Champions League

Martin Jol admits he would feel 'bad' if Fulham denied his former club Tottenham Hotspur a place in the UEFA Champions League with victory at White Hart Lane.

The Dutchman spent almost three years in charge of Spurs and came close to leading the club into the Champions League during his time as manager.

He returns to White Hart Lane for the first time on Sunday and a win for Fulham would ensure Jol's current side finish the season with 55 points.

Spurs, meanwhile, sit in fourth position, but that may not be enough to secure Champions League football if Chelsea win this season's final in a week's time.

Emotional

Asked how he would feel if Fulham denied Tottenham a place in Europe's top competition, Jol said: "Bad. I feel Spurs need to play in the Champions League. You can't blame me for wanting the three points to get to 55 points.

"There is no pressure on us. We are in a fine position. We wanted to finish in the top 10.

"They are a very good footballing team and there is a lot to play for for them. They will be emotional."

During Jol's reign, Spurs fell agonisingly short of the Champions League, losing to West Ham on the final weekend which allowed Arsenal to leapfrog them and claim the last place.

The Tottenham squad had been hit by food poisoning in the build-up to the match but failed in their bid to postpone the fixture.

"We were in fourth position for a long time. We had to go to West Ham. Arsenal played at home," Jol recalled.

"We ended up fifth. That was the first time they were above us. I could write a nice chapter over the events that day.

"This is the first time I have been back there. They like what I did there. I like the place. I like the club. It is in my heart, as Fulham is."